Often characterized as an age of dour conformity, Britain under the reign of Queen Victoria was, in fact, vibrant with new scientific and social theories, new technologies, and new ways of imagining the world. It was an exciting if anxious time--a lot, as we will discover, like our own--and, in this course, we will examine how a diverse selection of poets engaged with this dynamic social and artistic landscape. In addition to probing these wide-ranging issues, we also devote careful attention to developments in poetic theory and form, such as the emergence of the dramatic monologue. We will not, however, limit our attention to poetry: course readings also include influential essays, drama, and travel writing which will help to broaden and enrich our encounter with Victorian culture.